Distribution Leadership Program Trainee- Chicago (Spring/Summer '26)

Border States • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you’re empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work. This position will be located in: Chicago, IL Construct a foundation for your career at Border States with our two-year, fast-track Distribution Leadership Program. This role includes a combination of meaningful assignments in high-impact roles, formal business and leadership skills learning, and coaching/mentoring from Border States leaders. Exposure to key operations, sales support departments, and location/customer visits round out the learning opportunities in the Distribution Leadership Program. This program was specifically created for recent college graduates and newer professionals looking to build a career path within our industry and is highly customizable. Upon successful completion of the program, the Distribution Leadership Program Trainee will be placed in a position within operations, sales, sales support, management, or corporate role, finding the right opportunity to match up skill sets and interests with business needs. The projected start window for this role will be between April-August 2026, at a mutually agreeable date.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or trade degree with relevant work experience required
• Requires a valid driver's license
• Willingness to relocate with assistance to designated Border States location to begin the program
• Flexibility to travel and work in other assigned Border States locations during the program
• Willingness to potentially relocate with assistance to a different Border States location upon graduation from the program
• Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged
• Ability to effectively plan and organize
• Produces quality work both independently and as part of a team

Nice To Haves

• Previous sales or customer service experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Completes a 2-year rotational program focused on work life experiences in multiple facets and positions within the business
• Gains an understanding of Border States product and service capabilities through operations and logistics phases
• Experiences sales support roles to develop the ability to work cross-functionally with sales teams and market segments to help achieve customer service and sales objectives
• Progresses through extensive training on leadership skills, product knowledge, and other foundational education courses within classroom, online, and self-guided settings
• Involvement in numerous networking forums and program workshops in order to build relationships with company leaders, customers, and manufacturing partners
• Participation in both program and company-wide strategic projects and initiatives
• Develops higher-level business and market knowledge through travel opportunities to multiple Border States locations throughout the duration of the program
• Participates in an extensive coaching and assessment-feedback system
• Other duties as assigned by manager

Benefits

• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
• FSA & HSA
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Disability Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Volunteer Time
• Personal Leave time and more!
• Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees